The world' s largest iceberg is floating toward the island of South Georgia in the southern Atl

The world' s largest iceberg is floating toward the island of South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Scientists fear the iceberg could crash into the island and block major feeding areas for a large population of penguins and seals.
The huge iceberg, named A68a, broke away from Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf in 2017. It has since floated toward South Georgia, a British overseas territory. Satellite images show the iceberg has remained in one piece, about 150 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide, which is traveling at one kilometer an hour and is on a path to hit South Georgia in around 30 days.
The British Antarctic Survey says it is concerned that if the iceberg hits the island, it could prevent the penguins and seals from reaching food supplies. Professor Geraint Tarling, an ecologist with the Survey, says right now is the time of year when seals and penguins spend a lot of time caring for their young. This means the distance that parents have to travel to find food is important.
Ecologists say an iceberg crash would also disturb materials settled on the seabed, possibly polluting the surrounding seas. As the iceberg melts （融化），it would also release large amounts of fresh water into the ocean. This could affect krill （磷虾）populations that are a major source of food for the island's wildlife. Tarling says the iceberg could remain for 10 years and change the area's whole ecosystem.
These are globally significant populations of these species. If these species fail in this particular area, then the numbers globally are going to go down quite dramatically. ”
The breaking off of icebergs from Antarctica is a natural process. But the process is changing with climate change. "What we' re seeing with models and some observations now is the rate at which this is happening is increasing. And so, this might become more of a usual thing into the future, “ Tarling said. The iceberg also could damage South Georgia's valuable fishing industry. Fishers pay for the rights to catch Patagonian toothfish, icefish and krill in waters off the island.
Officials are hoping that changing weather patterns could direct the iceberg out into the open ocean, where it would, in time, break up and melt.
12. How will the floating iceberg probably affect penguins?
A. It will force them to move away.
B. It will destroy their food supplies.
C. It will occupy their feeding areas.
D. It will prevent them from getting food.
13. Which species plays the most important role in the whole ecosystem of this area?
A. Krill. B. Seal. C. Icefish. D. Penguin.
14. What do officials hope to do to reduce the effect of the floating iceberg?
A. Break it into pieces. B. Lead it to the open ocean.
C. Stop it from moving. D. Sink it to the bottom of the sea.
15. What is the best title for the text?
A. A Floating Iceberg Puts Wildlife at Risk
B. A Floating Iceberg Causes Weather Change
C. A Floating Iceberg Pollutes the Surrounding Seas
D. A Floating Iceberg Damages the Whole Ecosystem
【答案】